Lawmakers and progressive groups on Wednesday called on law enforcement agencies to launch a nationwide manhunt for Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa following the Supreme Court’s refusal to halt the implementation of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Akbayan Party-list Representative Perci Cendaña stated that the high court’s 9-5-1 decision to deny the senator’s prayer for a temporary restraining order (TRO) should serve as a clear signal for authorities to initiate enforcement actions against the lawmaker, who has been labeled a fugitive.
“There should be no safe quarters for those with blood of thousands on their hands. Kahit ang mga nagkakanlong sa mga pugante ay dapat mapanagot,” Cendaña said.
There should be no safe quarters for those with the blood of thousands on their hands. Even those harboring fugitives must be held accountable.
Dela Rosa had turned to the high tribunal seeking a TRO and a status quo ante order to prevent local law enforcement and Interpol from executing the international warrant without an order from a domestic court. However, the tribunal rejected the interim relief, leaving the ICC warrant valid and enforceable.
Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon emphasized that the high court’s ruling leaves no further excuses for local police and state agents to delay the execution of the warrant.
“The denial of the TRO petition should now compel law enforcement agencies to coordinate for the enforcement of the international warrant against Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, consistent with the position of the Solicitor General,” Ridon said.
Former Bayan Muna Party-list Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate viewed the development as a major roadblock for personalities associated with the Duterte administration’s controversial anti-drug campaign, noting that global obligations cannot be easily bypassed.
“It serves notice that the 1987 Constitution’s Bill of Rights cannot be easily weaponized as a jurisdictional shelter when domestic laws… and global obligations, like with the ICC, intersect. The enforcement of international justice, for now, faces no constitutional roadblock from the highest court,” Zarate said.
Meanwhile, human rights advocates and other sectoral leaders lamented what they described as lingering double standards in how high-profile figures are handled by law enforcement compared to ordinary citizens.
Bayan Muna chair Neri Colmenares criticized the apparent hesitation of authorities to apprehend the senator, pointing out the disparities in the country’s justice system.
“While ordinary people are arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest, Bato is given special treatment because he is a senator. Hindi patas ang batas, ang hustisya ay mahirap para sa mahihirap,” Colmenares said.
While ordinary people are arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest, Bato is given special treatment because he is a senator. The law is not fair; justice is difficult for the poor.
Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima added her voice to the cascade of reactions, challenging her former colleague in the Senate to face the international court directly.
“Due process pa ito sa kanya. Di tulad ng libo-libong Pilipino na pinapatay nila,” De Lima said.
This is still due process for him. Unlike the thousands of Filipinos they killed.
The Supreme Court clarified that while it denied Dela Rosa’s request for temporary relief, the main constitutional questions raised in his petition will still undergo full deliberation.